FULL-TIME!

That’s that for today, folks.

Thanks for all your questions, as ever. Some great discussions in there today.

Until next time...

14:31

And today's final question please

Julian also asks: Will we see any youth players integrated into the team this year? Max Lowe, Callum Guy, Offrande Zanzala - these are all players who are hungry and have quality. Will Gary Rowett give them a chance?

There are probably about 26 senior players at the club and Gary Rowett can only pick 11 and seven substitutes. The task for those younger players you mention is to force their way in front of a host of senior players. To bring them in ahead of senior players would be a big call for the manager. Again, I go back to Derby’s current run - one defeat in nine - and their position in the table.”

George Thorne up next

Julian asks: Why have we yet to see George Thorne start? Is it a question of fitness or something else?

As I mentioned in my previous answer, Derby have lost just once in nine matches, and midfielders Tom Huddlestone and Joe Ledley have played a part in that run. Yes, Huddlestone is not enjoying the best of form but a decision on whether or not to replace him with George Thorne rests with Gary Rowett. The manager watched Thorne play for the under-23s against West Ham United on Friday and today admitted it is a difficult dilemma. But he also said: “I still think George can improve, and I think the game against West Ham showed that. There are areas of the game that you might not see until he has played five or six first-team games, which is normal for anyone who has been out for so long, but it is very difficult at the moment to have a plan and say ‘let’s give him those five or six games’ because we have to make sure we remain competitive in those games.”

George Thorne leads the Derby County celebrations in their Under-23 clash at West Ham (Image: Andy Clarke)

14:18

Are we repeatedly critical?

Richard Caple asks: Every week fans, you Steve and Radio Derby are repeatedly critical of the team. At the training ground does Gary Rowett and the players not scrutinise their performances?

Of course they look at performances, and I’m sure they go over the good and bad points. That’s normal for any team. We must remember that Derby have lost just one of their last nine games and they are outside the top six on goal difference only, so it can’t be that bad. I’m not sure ‘we’ are ‘repeatedly critical’ of the team, Richard. We had plenty of praise for them in the recent wins against Leeds, Norwich, Sheffield Wednesday and Forest.”

Derby County manager Gary Rowett on the touchline during the Rams' Championship game against Fulham (Image: Andy Clarke )

14:12

Russell's contract

Matthew Hiller asks: I read that Gary Rowett said the club had been in contract talks with Russell for the last couple of months. Why does it take so long?

Because it takes both parties to agree on a new contract, I would imagine.”

Derby County's Johnny Russell keeps an eye on the ball during the Championship clash with Reading (Image: Andy Clarke)

14:06

More on the contracts

Richard Carson asks: Now that we appear to be offering (unbelievably, in my opinion) contract extensions to Russell and Forsyth, does that mean the only likely departures will be Shackell, Anya, Hanson and Roos?

Darren Bent and Chris Baird are also out of contract at the end of the season, as well. Things can be very fluid in the January and summer transfer windows, and so it is impossible to predict with certainty who will stay and who will go. Signing a new contract doesn’t necessarily guarantee a long-term stay for a player. In some case it makes good business sense for a club to get a player/players under contract otherwise they could leave on a free.”

Ikechi Anya in action for Derby County U23s against Wolfsburg (Image: Andy Clarke)

14:00

Bradley Johnson. Yay or nay?

Mark Graham asks: Do you rate Bradley Johnson? He did nothing against Fulham again and never helped out Craig Forsyth. When we went forward he tucked in too much offering no width.

Bradley Johnson did not have a good game at Fulham, but he was not alone. He actually spent more time trying to work back defensively than he did going forward. Part of his job in the position he plays on the left is to tuck in and allow space for left back Craig Forsyth to get forward and offer width.”

Who's on Nico's wishlist?

Dave Higginbottom asks: If we could bring in one quality player, what position would it be? I’m torn between a quality striker or a commanding central midfield player. One who could take the heat off the back four and could get the ball up to the forwards quicker. An organiser.

I think more than one addition is needed to improve the balance of the team. The balance in midfield needs to be addressed by injecting energy and pace, and greater power and pace in the final third would help.”

13:48

Contract time

Paul O’Kane asks: With the extended contract offered to Alex Pearce and the news that the club is in talks to extend the contracts of Johnny Russell and Craig Forsyth, do we feel the club is heading in the wrong direction or are fans willing to accept Gary Rowett appreciates good attitude players?

Changing the look and the shape of squads has to be a gradual process at times because of the transfer-window system. Which players are offered new contracts will always spark discussion and disagreement, Paul, but what must also be factored in is that clubs are criticised if they allow players to run down their contracts and leave on free transfers. That does not make good business sense, especially if players are still in their twenties. It is a very tough balancing act for managers.”

Derby County manager Gary Rowett listens to Johnny Russell during the Rams' Championship clash with Reading

13:42

Fan power

Ben Roberts asks: Do you think as fans we expect too much?

I am sure the same question could be asked of fans at most clubs. Football sparks passion, and fans just want the team to do well. Football is a game of opinions and what has changed over the years is that social media offers fans many more ways to voice their opinion. I think what is important to remember about the Championship this season is that most teams are on a par and that is why only three points separates 6th and 12th, and only six points separates Middlesbrough in sixth place and Fulham, who are 17th. It is going to be a real scrap.”

Derby County fans at Fulham (Image: Andy Clarke)

13:36

A good habit to have

Michael Broadley asks: Derby are currently grinding out results which is a good sign but we seem to lack tempo and creativity. How can we achieve a better balance?

Balance is the key word, Michael. The balance is not right at the moment but Derby have still been able to collect enough points to put themselves on the verge of the top six. We often talk about tempo and creativity but not about opponents, whose job it is to stop Derby playing.”

13:30

Entertain or win?

Ricky Davey asks: When is this Derby team going to give us some entertaining football and not sit back and be negative? Why does Tom Huddlestone think he’s a centre half?

I am seeing more and more reference to ‘entertaining’ football, Ricky, but surely winning football and picking up points is the first aim. If you can win and entertain, brilliant, but history tells us that most successful campaigns are built on being able to grind out results. How many teams in the Championship are delivering ‘entertaining’ winning football? Yes, Derby’s performances need to improve but they have lost just once in nine matches and (as we stand) are in the mix for the top six. On Tom Huddlestone, part of his brief (I understand) is to drop in and get on the ball. Being on the ball is his strength, so why wouldn’t he do that?”

13:24

The midfield dilemma

Tom Morris asks: Realistically, who could replace Tom Huddlestone in midfield if ever it was needed? We’ve seen Bradley Johnson doesn’t have his best games in that position.

George Thorne is the obvious candidate, and we might see that happen in one of the two games against Queens Park Rangers and Middlesbrough this week, we’ll see. They are similar players.”

Tough one for Nico...

Ben Roberts asks: Are you looking forward to Derby v Everton next season? That, of course, subject to the Rams not getting promoted.

Will that be a Premier League or Championship fixture?”

13:12

What do the Rams need to work on?

Dave Smith asks: What is the main thing we need to work on? Defending set pieces? Corners? Taking free kicks?

Pressing opponents better, and for longer periods. They did this to Fulham for 20 minutes at the start of the second half but did not maintain the tactic. They also need to be tighter in midfield and in the wide areas when not in possession.”

13:07

Gary Rowett's 'obsession'?

There is no obsession. Tom Huddlestone was one of Gary Rowett’s signings and so you would expect the manager to play him. Let’s look at the facts. Huddlestone has been an ever-present starter in the 16 league games of which Derby have lost only four. He has played a part in the current run of one defeat in nine matches that has lifted Derby to the verge of the top six. Has he struggled for form at times? Yes. Did he have a good game at Fulham? No. Some fans want to see George Thorne replace Huddlestone but George has not always been available this season. As for David Nugent, his partnership with Matej Vydra has been the most productive and he is second top scorer behind Vydra.”

David Nugent and Tom Huddlestone

13:00

Let's get this started

First question then - and it’s a double-header.

Dan Green asks: Why are Derby starting games in such a negative fashion. Do you not think our defenders need to take a bit more responsibility and start the game higher up the pitch instead of sitting on their 18-yard box?

While Alan Byrne asks: Why do we start games so slowly? Is Gary Rowett not getting his message across or are the players just not listening?

I don’t think that is deliberate, Dan, it is just sometimes the way games unfold. Yes, they started slowly against Reading and Fulham but they started quickly against Nottingham Forest (a goal inside a minute) and against Sheffield Wednesday (ahead after five minutes). I agree with you about the back four, I think they sit too deep at times and it is the responsibility of the centre backs to push the team further up the pitch.”

It is unclear whether he will come back into the fold for tomorrow’s game with QPR.

Here’s what Rowett said.

Out of respect to him, I don’t want to go into detail (about the personal reasons) but it’s something that anyone would find difficult to cope with. If you are coping with that, are you going to be concentrated enough and in a good enough place to perform on a football pitch? When we feel he is ready to do that, then it will be fine. He’s got our full support and I’ve kept in close contact with him.”

12:40

While we wait

Let’s have a little catch up from this morning’s presser, while we wait for the web chat to get underway.

Some key lines to come from Gary Rowett this morning at Moor Farm - including on the latest on extended Joe Ledley’s contract.

Ledley joined the Rams as a free agent in September and he was handed a short-term deal until January.

Here’s what Rowett said about it all:

We’ve spoken to Joe and his representatives, and our intention is to keep him for longer. That shows how much effect he has had on the team. Of course, his representatives will want to test the market and see what else is out there after a good spell for Joe. But I hope he will choose us and I’m confident we will get something sorted.”